22 quotes
In our view this condition points to a deep and pervasive defect in the process of human thought.
Dialogue: A Proposal (1991)
The ability to perceive or think differently is more important than the knowledge gained.
Deep down the consciousness of mankind is one. This is a virtual certainty because even in the vacuum matter is one; and if we don't see this, it's because we are blinding ourselves to it.
The perception of truth is an actual act which changes things; it’s not merely that it is the truth about something which is different.
Thought as a System (1992)
The power of meaning is that it completely organizes being.
Meaning and Information (1989)
Of course, we must avoid postulating a new element for each new phenomenon. But an equally serious mistake is to admit into the theory only those elements which can now be observed.
Individuality is only possible if it unfolds from wholeness. ... Ego-centeredness is not individuality at all.
There is no reason why an extraphysical general principle is necessarily to be avoided, since such principles could conceivably serve as useful working hypotheses.
In society, the basic carrier of meaning is culture, which is indeed just shared meaning.
Meaning and Information (1989)
The notion that all these fragments are separately existent is evidently an illusion, and this illusion cannot do other than lead to endless conflict and confusion.
Wholeness and the Implicate Order (1980)
We often find that we cannot easily give up the tendency to hold rigidly to patterns of thought built up over a long time. We are then caught up in what may be called absolute necessity.
Changing Consciousness (1991)
Suppose we were able to share meanings freely without a compulsive urge to impose our view or conform to those of others and without distortion and self-deception. Would this not constitute a real revolution in culture and therefore eventually in society.
...if somebody sees a different meaning to society or to life, that will change society. Every revolution has come from somebody seeing a different meaning in human society.
Meaning and Information (1989)
...if you have found the words which express the way you are actually thinking, the body will be affected.
Thought as a System (1992)
My suggestion is that at each state the proper order of operation of the mind requires an overall grasp of what is generally known, not only in formal logical, mathematical terms, but also intuitively, in images, feelings, poetic usage of language, etc.
Wholeness and the Implicate Order (1980)
Individually there has developed a widespread feeling of helplessness and despair, in the face of what seems to be an overwhelming mass of disparate social forces, going beyond the control and even the comprehension of the human beings who are caught up in it.
Wholeness and the Implicate Order (1980)
...the attempt to deal with social problems by force is incoherent, because the problems all arise in thought. And violence will never solve the problem in thought.
Thought as a System (1992)
There's nothing more ephemeral than thoughts; and yet thoughts can hold themselves by saying 'I must remain this way forever, with absolute necessity.' The point is to have the notion of a creative being, rather than of an identified being.
Thought as a System (1992)
Consciousness is much more of the implicate order than is matter . . . Yet at a deeper level [matter and consciousness] are actually inseparable and interwoven , just as in the computer game the player and the screen are united by participation.
Of course, one of the main legitimate functions of thought has always been to help provide security, guaranteeing shelter and food for instance. However, this function went wrong when the principal source of insecurity came to be the operation of thought itself.
Changing Consciousness (1991)